County Record: Digital Edition

Penny Record: Digital Edition

Curfew renewed for city of Pinehurst

A curfew in the city of Pinehurst for those under the age of 17 will remain in effect after the ordinance was re-adopted at the regular meeting of the city council on Tuesday morning. City administrator Joe Parkhurst said the curfew is revisited every three years.

The council determined a curfew is in the interest of the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens. The purpose of the ordinance is to:

Promote the general welfare and protect the general public through the reduction of juvenile violence and crime within the city. Promote the safety and well-being of the city’s youngest citizens, persons under the age of 17, whose inexperience renders them particularly vulnerable to becoming participants in unlawful activities, particularly drug activities and to being victimized by older perpetrators of crime. Foster and strengthen parental responsibility for children. Curfew hours for minors are: Sunday 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesday 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Wednesday 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.

It shall be unlawful to intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence violate this section. Such violation shall be a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

In other city business, the council tabled joining a consortium of municipalities on storm water run-off for further research. Tentative plans were for the city to enter into a consortium with other cites to hire an engineering company to monitor the storm water. The city would otherwise have to hire an additional employee at $35,000 a year in salary and $25,000 in benefits. Parkhurst said he hopes the city is eliminated through a waiver from the storm water run-off mandate since they were not originally a part of the consortium. Pinehurst was included because it is connected to Orange, Orange is connected to Bridge City, and Bridge City is connected to Mid and South Jefferson County. Parkhurst praised the Pinehurst Volunteer Fire Department for extinguishing a fire at Sussex Manor Apartments.

“They were the first on the scene and they prevented what could had been a catastrophe,” Parkhurst said. “One of our police officers arrived there first. He grabbed a fire extinguisher from his car but he couldn’t put out the fire. Our new fire chief, Justin Partain, did a good job.” The city will begin accepting bids on January 21 for sewer rehabilitation. The bids will be awarded at the next meeting on January 28.

Lastly, the city will be participating in the Community Trash-Off on Feb. 1.